A muted, textured hue lets collections shine.

Embracing colour doesn’t have to mean a palette of candy colours. A textured, sandy-hued wall is a neutral backdrop for two cleverly arranged collections — antique lacquered bowls and watercolours in emerald frames —while their respective colours add richness and a sense of luxury to the display. “I love how the two collections form a striking checkerboard pattern,” says Hable.

Find more ideas for decorating with colour in our photo gallery of images from Susan Hable’s book, A Colorful Room.

Trad architecture is updated with colour.

“The intense color contrast of the blues and oranges in this sitting room make it eccentric and inviting,” says Hable. Traditional architecture has a shabby chic vibe thanks to distressed blue walls (which are actually original to this heritage home, but the effect can be replicated by stripping freshly painted walls), while a Moroccan rug livens up the cool palette. Navy leather side chairs and a vintage sofa feel like old friends. “On the mantel, the stacks of books and art objects play out the color theme—these books were chosen from a collection for the varying blues of their spines.”

Find more ideas for decorating with colour in our gallery of images from Susan Hable’s book, A Colorful Room.

A sitting area’s rosy walls feel almost neutral.

Though the overall look of this breezy, almost tropical-style parlour is pretty and feminine, the pink walls are surprisingly neutral. Bold shocks of colour come from the accents — art, upholstery and lighting. “If you don’t want to go all-out with a bold colour, find a way to sneak it in,” Hable advises. “Don’t worry about matching! Go with a burst of colour in a surprising place.” Like, for example, the underside of the daybeds, which are upholstered in a large-scale abstract floral pattern. It’s a clever move with a big impact, as the pattern calls attention to an often overlooked spot, and the rich magenta hue provides a fun contrast to the daybed’s neutral seat.

Find more ideas for decorating with colour in our photo gallery of images from Susan Hable’s book, A Colorful Room.

Saturated, tone-on-tone colour adds richness.

Brilliant, saturated, verdant hues feel rich and luxurious in this masculine sitting area, and the monochromatic palette has a unifying effect on the space. “Using a variety of finishes in the same color family—jade mohair upholstery, glossy leaf trim, matte ivy walls—makes this room a success,” says Hable. Natural materials like wood, marble and stone ground the vivid palette.

Find more ideas for decorating with colour in our photo gallery of images from Susan Hable’s book, A Colorful Room.

Pink and leafy green are a natural pair.

“The pairing of pinks and greens so often found in nature makes for a great pairing indoors, too. The green tempers the pink from being too sweet. Add in some paler tones of the two, and you have a lovely, livable palette,” Hable says. This palette, from the top: roses from Hable’s garden served as inspiration; pigment that mimics the green hue of the rose stems; watercolours, pastels from Hable’s local art store; a dash of Himalayan pink salt. “I often pay attention to the colors of things in my pantry or at the grocery store—spices and herbs, dried beans or legumes, even flour and grains. Their richness and saturation are unmatched,” Hable says.

Find more ideas for decorating with colour in our photo gallery of images from Susan Hable’s book, A Colorful Room.